DMD Keynote – Bishop Frank J. Caggiano

He was born in Brooklyn on March 29, 1959, to Arnaldo and Gennarina Caggiano, both of whom came to this country in 1958 from the town of Caggiano in the province of Salerno, Italy. He entered Yale University in 1977 as a political science major. After further discernment, he transferred in 1978 into Cathedral College of the Immaculate Conception in Douglaston, New York, where he graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy in 1981.

He worked for 18 months as the sales representative for the Gregg Division of McGraw Hill Publishing Company before beginning his major seminary studies at the Immaculate Conception Seminary in Huntington, New York. He was ordained to the priesthood May 16, 1987, in the chapel of the Immaculate Conception Center in Douglaston, Queens. He served as an auxiliary bishop in the Diocese of Brooklyn from 2006 to 2013.

In 2014, he formally convoked the 4th Synod of the Diocese of Bridgeport, the first in 32 years, as an opportunity for renewal and pastoral planning for the future of the local Church. The synod’s themes were: empowering youth, building up the community of faith, fostering evangelical outreach, and promoting works of charity and justice.

In November 2013, Bishop Caggiano was appointed to a three-year term as episcopal advisor of the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry. He presently serves on several committees of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, including the Committee on Evangelization and Catechesis (chair of the Subcommittee on Catechism); Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs (consultant); and Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth.

Bishop Frank Caggiano’s Keynote Address

Rebuild My Church: Missionary Discipleship and the Young Church

In our contemporary age that faces both challenges and opportunities, Pope Francis challenges us to dedicate ourselves to the work of missionary discipleship. He asks that we bring the Good News of Christ’s salvific and merciful love to everyone, especially those who find themselves on the periphery of society. Yet, how do live such discipleship? How can we especially serve our young people? My talk will explore missionary discipleship in the hope of identifying ways by which we can live this calling effectively and joyfully.